Office of the Historian

871.00/12–845: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the American Representative in Rumania (Berry)

Washington, December 11, 1945—9 p.m.

645. For your confidential info Ethridge report submitted and with Departmental policy memoranda will form basis of proposals to be made at forthcoming Moscow conference.43 Ethridge’s general conclusion on Rumania is, briefly, that Groza govt is not representative in Yalta sense and should not be recognized by US Govt, and that latter should seek solution to present impasse by direct approach to other Yalta powers setting forth specific steps which might be taken as means of bringing about US recognition and early conclusion of peace treaty. No publicity will be given to Ethridge report prior to Moscow meeting.

Dept appreciates difficult position of King (reurtels 960, 961, 962 Dec 844), who must be aware that absence of US reply to his letter of Aug 21 results from Soviet Govt’s unwillingness hitherto to consult with US and British Govts, under terms of Yalta Declaration, on problem raised by his appeal. Without informing him that I intended to take up matter again at Moscow, you may in your discretion indicate that he can expect US Govt’s reply to his letter within a few weeks and that it is hoped no action will be taken meanwhile by Rumanians which would prejudice possibilities of favorable solution.

Repeated to Moscow.45

Byrnes
  1. Reference is to the Conference of Foreign Ministers of the United States, United Kingdom, and Soviet Union, held in Moscow, December 16–26, 1945.↩
  2. None printed. Telegram 960, December 8, from Bucharest, reported the delivery to the King by Princess Elizabeth of two letters. The first letter was from General Vasiliu Rascanu, the Minister of War, who asked that the King receive him at once in order that he might explain the disintegrating morale of the army which he attributed to the fact that no promotions had been possible since contact was broken between the King and the government on August 23. The second letter was in the form of an unsigned memorandum from Foreign Minister Tatarescu which placed upon the King the responsibility for the economic, political and constitutional crisis and which hinted that the King might be dethroned unless he altered his policies. (871.00/12–845)↩
  3. As telegram 2502.↩